The Best 3 Wheel Scooter for Kids

Whether you are raising one kid at a time or three at once, it is important to keep them happy and healthy. Finding safe and effective forms of exercise can be challenging, though. In a world full of toys and video games, it can be hard for exercise to compete. That’s why toys that encourage physical activity can be such a boon to the busy mom and dad. The best 3 wheel scooter for kids can do just that.

Activity Brings Health

It is really never too early to begin encouraging a healthful lifestyle. Obesity is fast becoming a worldwide epidemic, but it is one that is easily cured. A nutritious diet is half of the answer. The other half is physical activity.

The CDC recommends kids get 60 minutes of exercise per day. The benefits of all that movement include stronger bones, reduced stress and higher self-esteem. Learning to be active at a young age instills a love of exercise that can last a lifetime.

As the CDC also points out, though, kids tend to follow their parents’ lead. That’s where three-wheeled scooters shine. They let a family with kids of all different sizes get moving together. With one – or more – of these fun riding toys, the little ones can keep up while mom and dad ride or walk along.

Safe and Age-Appropriate

Kids love the freedom that scooters bring. They are easier and safer to learn to ride than bicycles. The best three-wheeled scooters for kids are also considerably safer than their two-wheeled counterparts. The three points of contact improve stability, making it simple for little ones to learn to balance themselves.

However, not every kick scooter on the market is a safe and high-quality example. So let’s examine some of the best kick scooters for kids, and take the guesswork out of getting busy!

The 5 Best Kick Scooters

1. Micro Kickboard Mini (Best Scooter for 3 Year Old)

The scooter that started the craze, the Micro Mini is the originator of the lean-to-turn steering system that is common among three-wheeled scooters. Leaning is the only way to turn two-wheeled scooters, so learning to steer that way helps prepare little ones for big-kid scooters. What is uncommon among its competition is how easy Micro Scooters makes it to replace worn or broken parts. Nearly every part on these kick scooters is available from the manufacturer. (Check out this short Youtube video to see how easy it is to repair a Micro Mini.)

The Micro Mini is suitable for kids from 3 to 5 years old weighing up to 44 pounds. The handlebar is not adjustable, so the youngest and smallest kids may have to reach up for the grips, while older kids may have to stoop a bit. But, the build is top notch, and the serviceability of these scooters practically ensures your child will outgrow it eventually ­– rather than throwing it away. The steering is solid, the brakes are effective and Micro has a long safety record that you can trust.

Pros:

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Suitable for ages 3 to 5 years

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44-pound max weight

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Solid build that withstands abuse

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Easily available replacement parts

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Simple to disassemble and repair

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CPSC certified

Cons:

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Lacks adjustability

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Does not fold for transport

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Micro had a hit on its hands as soon as this scooter hit the market. The Micro Mini continues to sell in huge numbers because it works, it lasts, it’s repairable. Its impressive safety record of safety alone should put it at the top of any parent’s shortlist. This may be the best 3 wheel scooter for kids younger than 4 years old on the market.

Micro Kickboard Mini

2. Micro Mini 3-in-1 Deluxe (Best Kick Scooter for Toddlers)

The Micro Mini 3-in-1 takes the promise of the original and adds in modular construction. The result is a kick scooter that rides in a very similar way to its predecessor, but that enables your child to keep a beloved toy that much longer. The secret lies in the three different ways to assemble this mini kick. (Watch this YouTube video to see how adjustable this scooter is.)

The youngest toddlers can use the plastic seat to scoot themselves along the floor. Stage two involves removal of the seat, leaving just the short O-handlebar. Finally, an adjustable, telescopic T-handle replaces the plastic bar, allowing the child to grow with the scooter. This kick scooter is suitable for kids from 1 to 5 years of age, and it can support up to 44 pounds with the seat and 75 pounds without it.

Pros:

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Supports up to 75 pounds of weight

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Suitable for ages 12 months to 5 years old

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Converts to more scooter-like ride as child ages

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Performs just like the original

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Easy to repair, parts easy to get

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Has won multiple awards at multiple toy fairs

Cons:

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Costs more than some competitors

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Color options limited compared to original Micro Mini

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The Micro Kickboards Mini 3-in-1 isn’t so much an improvement on the original as it is a diversification. If you want to make one investment for your toddler and have it remain a viable toy as the child ages, this is the scooter. It’s possibly the best 3 wheel scooter for kids all the way up to 5 years old.

Micro Mini 3-in-1 Deluxe

3. Globber Elite (Best Kick Scooter for Kids)

The folks at Globber know how to make scooters; it’s all they do. The Elite model is the top tier of Globber’s three-wheeled lineup. Extra thought was put into durability. With additions like a metal plate to support added weight on the deck, the Elite is built to last. It can handle weight loads of up to 110 pounds, and the handlebar is adjustable from 27 inches to 32 inches high. That adjustability and weight range means the Globber Elite should remain useful to your child for an added year or so. Globber suggests a suitable age range of 2 to 6 years old.

The Elite incorporates a push-button folding handle, making it one of the most portable kick scooters available. It also has a push-button mechanism for locking the steering, so the scooter goes in a straight line to make it easier for little ones to learn to ride. (Watch this video to see how to operate the Globber Elite.) The LEDs on the deck are touch and go, but this is a kick scooter to buy for its functionality, not its gimmicks.

Pros:

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Locking position prevents lean-to-steer function

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Folding handlebar for portability

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Adjustable handlebars

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Plastic riding deck supported by steel plate

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Rated for ages 2 to 6 and weights up to 110 pounds

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Wide variety of color options

Cons:

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LED lights do not always work

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Folding handle is clunky to operate

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Globber takes its scooters seriously, and its Elite model is proof. The beefed-up design makes it a legitimate ride for kids up to 110 pounds, so it can easily last until a child is ready for two-wheelers. It’s folding handlebar can become loose over time, though, which is the only thing that knocks it down a notch on this list.

Globber Elite

4. Razor Jr. Lil Kick

Families on a budget shouldn’t have to sacrifice safe and quality exercise for the kids. The Razor Jr. Lil Kick perfectly fills the gap between high-end kick scooters and throwaway toy ones. Razor scooters can be found flying around skateparks the world over on a daily basis, so the company obviously knows a few things about constructing them. The Lil Kick has a steel-tube frame that runs all the way beneath the deck for added strength and support.

What makes the Lil Kick a little different from the other three-wheelers on this list is the configuration of the wheels. If you’ll notice, the tandem wheels are in the back, opposite of most of the Razor’s competition. The result is a more traditional turning geometry. As the handlebars are twisted to steer, though, a slight danger of tip over exists. That’s part of the reason for Razor’s minimum suggested age of 3 years old to ride the Lil Kick. Couple that with the maximum weight of 45 pounds, and the window for usability gets smaller than most.

Pros:

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Much more affordable than some others

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Tubular steel construction

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A trusted company with years of scooter-making expertise

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Large wheels mean less pushing

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Cross padding on handlebars

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Conventional steering

Cons:

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Rear axle protrudes past wheel hub, causing occasional ankle scrapes

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Kids outgrow these scooters faster than some others

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Razor’s Lil Kick does not incorporate the lean-to-turn steering of the others on this list, and that is exactly why it is on the list. It is a more-stable, less-complex scooter. It is not, however, very stable in high-speed turns, and it’s protruding rear axle can scrape little ankles. But when the budget is tight, it is a solid option for pre-K ages.

Razor Jr. Lil Kick

5. Rimable Folding Kick Scooter

Rimable is a toy company that is much better known for its skateboards, but it has been making kick scooters for years. The Rimable three-wheeled scooter shares some attributes with its more expensive competition, but it’s all offered a more budget-friendly cost. It has the same lean-to-steer operation as most of the others, and it offers the folding handle that most of its competitors do not.

The claimed maximum weight of 130 pounds seems doubtful, but it is plenty strong for kids weighing half that or a bit more. The metal used for construction is aluminum, which lightens the overall weight of the scooter and eliminates the possibility of rust. It may not have quite the built-in durability of some of the others, and replacement parts are hard to find, but the Rimable can last as long as any of its competition if properly cared for.

Pros:

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Aluminum construction

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Folding T-bar handle

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Middle-of-the-road pricing for tighter budgets

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LED lights in wheels

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Adjustable handlebar height

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Trusted manufacturer

Cons:

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Not as durable as some others

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Folding mechanism on handlebar can become shaky

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The Rimable folding kick scooter takes some of the same functions you’ll find on the best 3 wheel scooter for kids, while cutting the price in half. It does so by reducing its own costs in design (see previous sentence) and construction. The result is a decent scooter, but one that lacks the solid feel and longevity of its pricier competition. It perhaps isn’t the best choice for kids who will use it heavily, but it has its merits for occasional riders and thrifty moms.

Rimable Folding Kick Scooter

Conclusion

When searching for the best 3 wheel scooter for kids, look for one that will provide hours of fun with all the benefits of healthy exercise. Like any other rideable toy, parents will have to weigh the costs of the pricier scooters against the quality of the cheaper ones. The scooters on this list are all safe and fun for little ones (depending on age). Getting one for each of your kids is an investment in their future health and happiness.